Rising from Small Cloud Rain Technique

Chapter 177: Chapter 174: Countermeasures

The next day.

In the afternoon, a gentle breeze passed by, and the bamboo forest whispered softly.

Ji An reclined half-lying on the chair, taking out the seeds of the Purple Fire Gourd and placing them on a wooden tray.

He roughly counted them, over a hundred top-grade gourd seeds and several premium seeds among them.

He removed the inadequate seeds and used his Divine Sense to probe each gourd seed’s life force, finally obtaining exactly eighty top-grade gourd seeds.

These seeds were much better in appearance than the few he obtained from Zhong Yue, with a dark red outer skin that shimmered with Spirit Light, and the aura was more lively.

The gourds are Fire Element Plants, and the seeds contained no small amount of Wood Element Essence Qi.

Ji An stared at a seed between his fingers, lost in thought.

None of the Spirit Plants he had encountered exhibited a simple attribute of the Five Elements; even in the seemingly stone-like Earth Spirit Fruit Tree, there was fluid flowing.

He used to think that Spirit Plants had a single Five Elements attribute, but now he realized that was shallow.

Ji An slowly returned to his senses and divided the top-grade gourd seeds into two portions, then cast the Life and Death Technique.

The Spell enveloped both the premium seeds and the inferior top-grade seeds, extracting their life force.

Green and red rays of light flew out from the seeds, finally converging into a deep ink-colored Wood Element Bead.

He activated the Wood Element Bead, nourishing one portion of the seeds with the same source of life force.

When all the light from the Wood Element Bead was absorbed by the seeds, Ji An again released the Jade Wood Transformation Skill, scattering emerald green specks of light that enveloped all the top-grade seeds.

The seeds that did not absorb the light from the Wood Element Bead absorbed more of the specks of light.

Ji An then cast the Flame Fire Spell, and the seeds enveloped in orange-red light had a brighter surface, seeming as fiery red as magma.

He felt the life force of the seeds was greatly stimulated, and nodded in satisfaction.

“Caw, caw!”

The grey-feathered sand goose took off from the Cold Pool and landed near its master.

First, it shook the water off its feathers and then affectionately rubbed against its master’s arm.

Ji An chuckled and said:

“I’ll give you the pill tonight.”

Several months ago, the sand goose’s Demonic Power had slightly increased, so he hadn’t allowed it to take the Blood Refining Pill.

Now it seemed the Beast Taming’s Demonic Power had reached its limit, and he thought it was time to let it break through.

“Caw.”

Receiving a clear response, the grey-feathered sand goose let out a pleased squawk, turned, and flew back to the Cold Pool to frolic.

“You silly creature.”

Ji An shook his head, realizing that even though it was a Demon Beast with intelligence, there were still limits.

He stood up, waved a hand, and called out:

“Huang Xuan, where’s Li Cheng?”

Huang Xuan trotted over and smiled, saying:

“Junior Martial Uncle, today’s work was completed in the morning, and Li Cheng and Senior Brother Huang went outside to tend the Spirit Field.

If you need anything, just let me know, or I can call them back for you?”

Life at Red Flame Peak was very pleasant; as long as the work was done earnestly, the rest of the time was free to be allocated, as long as someone stayed to attend.

“No need, you take a bundle of dried Profound Yang Wood branches and a bag of powder and come with me to plant the Purple Fire Gourd.

In the future, you and Li Cheng will be responsible for fertilizing these gourds, with the same frequency as before.”

“Understood, Junior Martial Uncle, rest assured.”

Ji An summoned the Flying Shuttle, taking Huang Xuan with him to the place originally planted with gourds, instructing:

“Fetch some red sand.”

Huang Xuan loaded several bags of red sand onto the ground, mixing them with the Profound Yang Wood powder.

Ji An cast the Thick Earth Returning Origin Spell to plant the seeds, then released the Spring Breeze and Rain Skill.

The Spirit Rain, brimming with nourishing energy, poured down, allowing the Purple Fire Gourds to take root and sprout, unfolding their leaves in the rain.

When the mist dissipated and the rain stopped, the gourd vines had grown more than four inches high.

As Huang Xuan quickly set up the wooden frame, Ji An inserted several wooden stakes into the soil, saying:

“The seeds are divided into four parts; the middle two use Profound Yang Wood powder and red sand as supplementary fertilizer, and the ones on the sides use Red Cloud Pine powder and red sand as fertilizer.

I want to experiment with how effective these fertilizers really are, so don’t mix them up.”

“Junior Martial Uncle, I’ve noted it down, it won’t be mixed up.”

…

The moon rose over the eastern mountain, as if hugging a lute and half hiding its face.

The night was as cool as water, and the evening breeze carried a chill.

Ji An placed several stalks of Water Attribute Spirit Grass and a Blood Refining Pill on the ground, the Spirit Grass shimmering with water-blue Spirit Light, and the pill’s Pill Pattern shimmering in the moonlight with a watery glow.

These Spirit Grass would assist the Demon Beast’s breakthrough; though its effect wasn’t large, as long as it could provide even a slight chance, and there was an opportunity to obtain it, Ji An would prepare it.

The grey-feathered sand goose gobbled up the Spirit Grass and then swallowed the pill.

After a few breaths, its Demonic Power began to rise rapidly, its body swelling like a balloon slowly inflating.

“Caw…”

The sand goose’s squawk carried pain; the breakthrough of a Demon Beast was like a chrysalis breaking into a butterfly.

Though the outcome was beautiful, the process was full of hardship.

Ji An watched silently; now the Beast Taming could only rely on itself.

As the moon gradually rose, the Demonic Power aura of the grey-feathered sand goose suddenly surged, its bones crackling, and its body expanded a bit more.

“Caw!”

The sand goose released a hoarse and piercing cry, its voice carrying an air of boldness.

It stretched its long neck, its eyes reflecting the moon’s tranquil and cold light.

With the experience of Golden Fur’s breakthrough, Ji An released the full pressure of a Third-Layer Foundation Establishment cultivator against the sand goose.

He wanted the Beast Taming to understand that there was a reason he was its master, directly suppressing any potential rebellious thoughts.

“Caw!”

The sand goose immediately cried out, lowered its neck, showing deference mixed with compliance.

“Haha, much better than Golden Fur’s performance.”

Ji An laughed, took out the Beast Taming Token, and communicated spiritually with the sand goose:

“From now on, you’ll be fed ample Spirit Rice and Spirit Vegetables daily. Limit catching Spirit Fish; regular fish can be eaten more often.”

The sand goose nodded continuously.

…

Jade Dragon Ridge.

At the banquet, Zeng Rui’s face was aglow, making his skin appear even more glossy.

“Thanks everyone for joining, let me offer a toast to all of you.”

Beside him stood a petite female disciple in a light blue silk skirt, graceful in figure, her face full of coy charm.

Many female disciples with poor aptitudes choose to rely on Foundation Establishment cultivators to obtain resources for their own breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Similarly, male disciples with poor aptitudes but good looks choose to rely on Foundation Establishment female cultivators.

Everyone downed a cup, and Zeng Rui, with his concubine, separately toasted several Foundation Establishment cultivators.

After he left, Jiang Wanrong’s cheeks slightly reddened, and she transmitted:

“Seeing Junior Brother Zeng surrounded like that, is there something similar Senior Brother Ji aspires for?”

“Ah, I am a cultivator aiming to break through to the Chao Origin Stage, not indulging in romance.”

Ji An transmitted, adopting an arrogant demeanor.

Jiang Wanrong raised her eyebrows slightly, wrinkled her nose, and said:

“I hope I witness that day!”

She thought privately:

’Clueless about romance, what Chao Origin breakthrough, it’s just an excuse.’

If it were that easy, the sect wouldn’t only have a dozen Chao Origin Stage Junior Martial Uncles.

Many seem to break through the Early and Middle Foundation Establishment stages easily but struggle to reach the Late stage, wasting years.

Ji An joked:

“I’ll try not to keep Junior Sister waiting.”

He changed the subject, softly asking:

“Junior Sister, how much gift money did you send?”

“I don’t have many Spirit Stones, so I sent a magic robe I made myself.

Cursed Zeng Rui, taking concubines three times in half a year.”

Jiang Wanrong lightly bit her lip, knowing she wouldn’t recover the gift money.

She paused and asked:

“Senior Brother Ji, a friend of mine heard the top-grade Biluo Tree you have is bearing fruit and wishes to order some.

However, she’s short on funds recently and asked me to inquire if she could pay less upfront.”

Upon hearing business was forthcoming, Ji An replied gently:

“Of course she has face, I don’t need a deposit, just settle when collecting the Biluo Fruits.

I promised Junior Sister benefits for introducing clients, and fulfilling the deal will honor that.”

Spirit Fruits, unlike ordinary fruits from past lives, don’t have a short shelf life and can be preserved for several years or decades with magic technique sealing.

The demand for Biluo Fruits is high, selling them isn’t an issue; it’s an easy favor to extend.

“Thank you, Senior Brother!”

Jiang Wanrong beamed, gaining face from her senior brother’s favor, making her shine more in front of friends.

“You’re welcome. How many fruits does Junior Sister’s friend want? I’ll set them aside in advance.”

“Five hundred fruits will do.”

…

Mingfeng Mountain, Patrol Hall.

This was the law enforcement agency established by the Three Sects, drawing skilled cultivators in magical combat from each sect and recruiting many competent loose cultivators, responsible for defending the Immortal City and surrounding areas.

The Three Sects agreed to each send a Chao Origin Stage cultivator to jointly oversee before the demon calamity arrives.

Muu Songde walked into the deepest part of the Patrol Hall to the main hall and glanced around, his eyes showing serious concern, quickly taking a seat.

The hall was a place for meetings, but Chao Origin Stage elders rarely handled matters; typically late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators from various sects participated.

Today was the regular meeting time, but with the attendance of Chao Origin Stage cultivators, there must be an issue—their presence signaled trouble.

More people arrived, seeing Chao Origin Stage cultivators overseeing, feeling a rising unease.

Yuanhe Mountain’s Chao Origin High Cultivator, Zheng Yuan, lightly coughed and said:

“Everyone’s here, so I’ll speak directly.

Yesterday, a Patrol Team passed a gathering point three hundred li northeast of Mingfeng Mountain and found it deserted.

I personally went to inspect, estimating the incident occurred the night before yesterday. The culprits were ghost cultivators.

This is the second similar incident, and we must quickly locate the enemies, lest it severely affects the Immortal City.”

Ghost cultivators, as the name suggests, are cultivators that raise Yin Souls for combat, practicing evil cultivation techniques and often feeding Yin Souls with human souls.

Lin Qiu Bai, who had been meditating, opened his phoenix eyes, releasing a cold glow:

“How many cultivators were at the gathering point, and what was the cultivation level of the strongest cultivator?”

Zheng Yuan replied:

“It was a branch station established by several families, with over two hundred cultivators.

There were four Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators, the strongest being Foundation Establishment Middle Fifth Layer.”

Yuanhe Mountain’s Chao Origin Cultivator Cen Gaoyuan said:

“Ghost cultivators are mere unseen rats; if we can find their hiding place, the matter is easily resolved.

However, can you confirm if this incident and the previous one involve the same group?”

“That’s the difficulty, hence gathering everyone to discuss strategies.”